Drive north over the Golden Gate Bridge and you can pitch a tent at Kirby Cove (from $30) in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. To reach your campsite, walk a mile down a steep path to a bluff overlooking the ocean with awesome views of the city. The old-growth redwoods of Muir Woods are nearby, as is all that downtown San Francisco has to offer. But with only five campsites, you’ll need to book way ahead (or check for last-minute cancelations).